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LONDON, April 3.

Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde. The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde had paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis's son), which were found in pockets of old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelation of these letters. Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely expressions of the artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems—extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £25 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned and defendant admitted to bail.

Oscar Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as a natural expression of an artist attracted by personalty: that the Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which that gentleman responded with "you are the most infamous brute in London."

London, April 4.

In his cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants He said he derived pleasure of being in the company of bright happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room. Was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendships.

Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas.

When making a voyage to Australia Wilde said he made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked them.

Letters read in Court proved that the Marfluis of Queensbury was endeavouring to stop his son visiting Wilde.

The son wired backed to his father that Wilde was a funny little man.

The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place.

The latter denied the charges against him and showed the Marquis the door.

Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits.

Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensbury and sons remained unbroken.

Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty stricken and needed some employment.

Later.

Mr Wilde admitted the close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to inferiority if the friends were amusing Lord Douglas. Letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' letter referred to eminent statesmen, but the refence was political.

Wilde's case is closed.

Mr Causon, in opening the defence, declared that plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilible with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature along justified the charges against him. In conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.

In the course of his evidence, Mr Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with—"You are the most infamous brute in London!"